I'm a User Experience Engineer for a Fortune 500 company. I work well with product teams to influence and improve product design.
As a project manager, I have a solid background in test methods and protocols and familiarity with the full product life cycle, including requirements, engineering, and validation. With strong communication abilities I'm skilled in making information easily understood and used.
My main tasks include conducting iterative usability testing for overall systems as well as components and modules including installation, servicing, troubleshooting, understandability of labels and instructions.
I'm also and advocate for adoption of User Centered Design methods for product development to ensure that products are easy to set up, use, and service; and drive consistency for product line.
While away from the MacBook Pro, I also promote bicycle races. The Gran Prix of Gloucester started as a regional race and has grown to one of the largest in North America. I'm president of Essex County Velo: a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to cycling whose mission is to enhance the opportunities for members to enjoy the numerous benefits derived from the simple, youthful act of riding a bike.
Profile
Engineer experienced in usability and human factors testing and analysis to influence and improve product design. Project manager with solid background in test methods and protocols and familiarity with full product life cycle, including requirements, engineering, and validation. Creative problem solver and troubleshooter, excellent rapport with customers and project teams. Strong communication abilities, skilled in making information easily understood and used.
Experience
- Project Lead - Human Factors & Usability, Sun Microsystems, Inc.; Burlington,
MA — 2005-present
Provide expert knowledge of human factors and usability to influence design of hardware and server-based products.
• Develop test protocols and conduct/manage testing to generate empirical and verifiable user-based design requirements.
• Champion adoption of User Centered Design methods for product development to ensure that products are easy to set up, use, and service; and drive consistency for product line.
• Actively engage with engineering to gain product design insight; maintain close ties with mechanical engineering, electrical, cooling, power, and software engineers to evaluate impact of design on usability.
• Collaborate with product teams to identify needs and develop comprehensive test plans.
• Conduct iterative usability testing for overall systems as well as components and modules including installation, servicing, troubleshooting, understandability of labels and instructions.
• Design, organize, and supervise execution of detailed test plans at usability test facilities. Incorporate use of digital recording, multiple cameras, photography, and direct observation.
• Arrange for acquisition of equipment components and parts; recruit participants; encourage attendance of product design, engineering, field support, sales, marketing, and other personnel to observe at test facility.
• Observe testing and provide direction/interventions to test team and recruits (as needed).
• Analyze test data and provide feedback and reports. Recommend design changes/requirements to product teams.
• Identify and communicate urgent areas for immediate attention.
• Developed dynamic Human Factors Analysis Report to identify recommendations, actions, and timelines.
• Author and publish full web-based report, documenting methodology, results, analysis, and recommendations.
• Incorporate photos, videos, and recording clips to substantiate analysis and findings.
• Assist design teams in interpreting data and incorporating findings into improved product designs. - EMC Engineer, Sun Microsystems, Inc.; Burlington, MA — 1996-2006
- EMC Engineer, Analogic Corporation; Peabody, MA — 1995-1996
- EMI Site Supervisor, Inchcape Testing Services; Boxborough, MA — 1992-1995
- Compliance Engineer, Inchcape Testing Services; Boxborough, MA — 1990-1992
Education & Professional Development
User Experience Certificate, BENTLEY COLLEGE (Waltham, MA) expected Spring 2009
Usability Bootcamp, BENTLEY COLLEGE (Waltham, MA) 2005
B.S. Electrical Engineering, MERRIMACK COLLEGE, North Andover, MA 1990
Minor: Mathematics
Technical Skills
Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, MacOS X, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner, QuarkExpress, UNIX
Not an operational form, just yet!
Some additional text regarding contact information.
While away from the PowerBook, I also promote bicycle races. The Gran Prix of Gloucester started as a regional race and has grown to one of the largest in North America. I helped relaunch the Witches Cup which brings the long standing tradition of bicycle racing to downtown Salem, MA.